The Entire John Wick Timeline Explained

The terms of the duel are simple — John and Caine (acting as the Marquis' champion) are each given a single shot pistol, told to walk out 30 paces, and then fire. If they're both still capable of continuing, they'll move forward 10 more paces and fire again, and then again, until one of them goes down. The duel is conducted by the Harbinger while Winston and Nobody look on.

After nicking each other with the 30-pace shot and scoring body blows with the 20-pace shot, John and Caine move in for the 10-pace faceoff, both bleeding heavily. On the third shot, Caine strikes John in the torso, knocking him down. The Marquis steps in and takes the pistol, claiming his right to finish John off himself. At that moment, John reveals that he never fired his weapon a third time and shoots the Marquis in the head, winning the duel. John is freed from all High Table obligations, as are Caine and his daughter, while Winston is reinstated as head of the New York Continental.

John says his goodbyes to Caine, then makes his way down to the steps of the church, still bleeding profusely. There, with images of his wife in his head, he says her name, and seemingly dies.